Occupy protestors and others, including this group from New York dressed as "Tax Dodgers,” staged a protest in front of the Marriott Wardman Park hotel Friday, which was hosting the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

“I’m here to tell Mitt Romney and CPAC to stop giving tax breaks to the rich, and create good jobs for the 99 percent,” said John Butler, an unemployed District resident who is part of a group called Our DC. “We want them to see us, hear us, feel us.”

John Butler, foreground left, of Our DC, marches with Occupy protestors and others up the driveway of the Marriott Wardman Park hotel as they protest the CPAC convention going on inside on Friday in Washington. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

But District police and hotel security maintained a heavy presence, largely keeping protesters confined to the sidewalk. About 12:30 pm, dozens of protesters suddenly marched up to driveway toward the door of the hotel, but police cars and officers quickly formed a barrier preventing them from entering.

A few CPAC attendees hurled insults at the protesters, such as “get a job,” but most appeared amused or quietly watched the demonstration from hotel grounds.

“I think its good to see people express themselves,” said Bryn Mahan, 23, of Virginia Beach. “Its not a demonstration I agree with, but its great to see people passionate.”

Additional demonstrations are planned later Friday, and some conservatives have expressed concern about the potential for violence.

Tim Craig is a national correspondent on the America Desk. He previously served as head of The Post’s Afghanistan-Pakistan Bureau, based in Islamabad and Kabul. He’s also reported from Iraq, the District and Baltimore.